[jeff]

I will be giving away an iPad 3 Thursday to someone in the forum. Here are the details:

Who: 1 Randomly-selected winner.

You don’t have to be a current candidate to enter – Alums are welcome too!

The selection will be recorded through a screencast.

Note – the winner will be double-checked to make sure they don’t have more than one forum account posting in the giveaway thread, so no shenanigans.

What: iPad 3 – $499 model (winner will have the option to pay for any upgrades/features they want added)

Why: iPads are awesome (I have an iPad 2 … hope I win!) 😉

How:

1. “Like” another71 on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/another71)

2. In this thread, post a CPA Exam or Accounting Career tip (or both) that you think would benefit a College Senior or recent graduate. If you work for a Big 4 or Regional Accounting Firm, interview tips or anything making the process easier would be great.

That’s it … Good Luck!

***

New Prizes Added!

– 5 Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University Memberships (Online)

– 5 Complete NINJA Audios

– 5 Complete NINJA Notes

– 1 30 Minute Muay Thai training session at Del Mar Beach (CA) in September (you have to get to Del Mar though) 🙂

[rmcarr]

Tip: Start with a hard exam (Reg/Far were the hardest to me, so I started with Far). The clock doesn't start until you pass one exam, so use the free study time wisely. One that first one goes down, the clock starts ticking and you'll have a great head start. I took them FAR, BEC, AUD, REG. (using Becker, passed 1st time, every time).

Another tip is to be committed to studying. It was wake, work, study (lunch), work, dinner with wife and kids, study, bed for several months, but once it's done, it's done.

Good Luck!!!

NTS #457 - Northern Virginia
FAR - 08/2011 - 86 - Becker
BEC - 10/2011 - 83 - Becker
AUD - 11/2011 - 84 - Becker
REG - 02/2012 - 85 - Becker

[LianaZC]

Exam tip: Practice as many mcqs as possible!!

[MrsZep]

Interview Tip:

1) Right after the interview (outside the office) write the thank you card and put it in the nearest mailbox–that way they get it on the same day. Also, shoot them an email thanking them and mentioning something nice you talked about. But the hand-written and timely thank you card is key!

College tip:

2)If you haven't already graduated college, BE INVOLVED in your accounting society/club/organization. It is really essential to getting noticed by the Big 4 and you get to meet so many professionals (extending your network), place you front and center on recruiting events, and give you many other opportunities.These extracurriculars are usually more useful than working.

Career tip:

3) Although it is good to go home on time, sometimes staying later and working on something else or getting involved with as many job sponsored activities help you in promotion time (community service, etc)

REG - 2/28/2012 - Passed! 86
BEC - 4/29/2012 - Passed! 82
FAR - AFTER AUD
AUD - JULY 2012

~Using Only Becker~

[littlenumberrobot]

Career Tip: Be yourself and if you don't get your first few job interviews, don't take it personally, it may not have been the right fit. You may have the qualifications but not be right for the company. This is most true with smaller to medium firms.

CPA: Find what works best for you and unfortunately this may mean some trial and errors. Everyone is different and all you can do is give your best.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Ben]

I agree that doing as many MCQ's as possible is really important, but take time going through them. First off, you need to understand why the correct answer is the correct answer and what questions they could as as well. For example, lets say that you are asked to answer what the amount of a accounts receivable would be on the balance sheet, you should also understand other things along the way. Like what is the value of the allowance account. Or if you are calculating depreciation on an asset, know what the accumulated depreciation would be in say year 3 of 5. Learn to look at things from many different angles. I like this way of doing things because I think we have a tendency to answer MCQ's to get a certain answer, but if something else is asked we might not be able to come up with it.

BEC - 5/3/14
AUD - 77 (x1)
REG - 86 (x3)
FAR - 75 (x3)

[lacpa2012]

Hours=Points! The more you practice the luckier you get.

When you get tired, remind yourself that you can pass the CPA exam.

[Anonymous]

Take the exam as soon as Possible! If you can sit for it plan on taking it ASAP. Those of us who have waited 3-5 years into our careers know how much harder it is now. Everything is freshest in your mind when you are right out of college. The exam is basically a test on every accounting class you had in college. Study hard and make it your top priority! I would highly recommend the Ninja Audio, especially if you have a considerable commute. The repititons of hearing something over and over helps remember the key points on these exams.

[mariquezada]

Do as many CPA review questions as you can! Do them twice if you can. Follow your schedule. (prepare one if you haven't) Life should STOP while you're taking the exams, ie no parties, no events, except for the designated night that you have for yourself (and family). Once I did this, I passed all of them way within the 18 mo period. It such a small part of your life to give into for a little while– there's no reason to extend it longer into more and more studying! And support system is great- it wasn't until I found Another71 that I started passing my exams. 🙂

[reyortdor]

I'll second hitting the MCQs hard! I'd also personally stay away from Becker. It's not a bad course, but it's too much money for what you get.

For any job interview, get to know the company really, really well prior to the first interview. If they see that you care about the place you want to work, you'll raise some eyebrows.

REG: 90, 8/27/11
AUD: 91, 11/30/11
BEC: 92, 10/6/12
FAR: 91,11/3/12 DONE!!! PTL!!!

[rlkamp]

CPA Exam Tip:

I've been following this forum during my whole process and I got hung up on the fact that everyone says that the exam gets harder if you're doing well. During my last exam REG, it didn't seem to get harder and I almost gave up. As you can see from my score, it was my best exam so good thing I didn't let the fact that my questions never got wordy or complex get in my head 😉

Career Tip:

There are a lot of jobs outside the BIG 4. I am an older canidate and couldn't fathom starting over working the kind of hours required in the BIG4. I work in CORP, make a good living and have a good work/life balance. Make sure you explore all your options, not just BIG4!

AUD 84 (AUG-11)
BEC 81 (OCT-11)
REG 87 (FEB-12)
FAR 81 (MAY-12)

[LongJourney]

1- There is no such thing as a review course that suits everyone. Choose the one that suits your style.

2- Do not throw away your family and friends, obviously you'll spend less time with them but that doesn't mean that you should totally neglect them.

3- Schedule for the exam before you start studying. That way you will be forced to commit to your deadline.

4- Regardless of your study plan, something will go wrong and you won't expect it. Deal with it.

5- Do not panic during the exam. If you are relaxed you might pass or fail but if you start panicking you will fail.

REG: 80 (02/02/2012)
FAR: 91 (02/06/2012)
AUD: 89 (02/09/2012)
BEC: 79 (02/12/2012)

Ethics: 90 (02/11/2012)

[Anonymous]

CPA Exam Preparation tip: Use study techniques that have worked best for you throughout your education, whether it be audio, flashcards, answering questions, writing notes, etc. Study materials do not have to cost you an arm and a leg. It is possible to prepare sufficiently while on a budget if you do not waste money on material types that will not be useful to you. You can purchase new materials through various websites that have occasional discounts (like this one), used materials from online auctions, iphone apps, and even audiobooks.

[J Walton]

CPA Exam: Set your goal to pass the CPA exam ASAP! I waited 13 years after college to begin studying for the CPA exam when I noticed the shift in hiring accountants in Georgia. The focus for experienced accountants was CPA (first) and work experience (a distant second). So now I am juggling work & family to get it done. I also recommend knowing your learning style. Becker did not do it for me (continuous teaching segments until the end of the topic – when I purchased a section) and I prefer Yaeger's approach (one hour or less teaching segments). Lastly – DO NOT PURCHASE ALL FOUR PARTS AT ONE TIME. You may find the teaching approach is not to your liking and now you have 3 additional parts taking up space.

Accounting Career Tip: It does not matter if you decide to enter public or private/corporate accounting – a CPA will benefit your career. Many internal job postings in Corporate America for Accounting positions are looking for CPAs. It's better to get the designation ASAP, then gain the experience. It means a lot in the corporate world these days.

[kobebryant168]

Exam Tip: I m not a good role model, but I ll just share my experience. Make intensive notes, thats the key for me, I never wanted to look at the book again after i ve done my revision. notes help me to memorize better since i put them in simpler form instead of reading the book over again, it's impossible to remember all the info, but you have to know the important ones

Like others, non stop MCQs, this way you get to know how each question can be tested, the style of how they are asking you. Always go back to the previous 2 chapters to refresh your memory…

Plan ahead: once you pass your first one, you really have to plan out your upcoming exams schedule as the 18months clock ticking begin.

[meschaefer]

Know going into it that it is a commitment. Having family that recognizes that you are committed to this (therefore a little less committed to their needs) is very helpful.

OMG...I'm done.

AUD 86(expired), 75
FAR 74, 79
REG 64, 75
BEC 74,75

[Author]

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